“Where do we take it from here?” sings Vikki Thorn on Day Dreamer, one of the most uplifting moments on The Waifs‘ extraordinary sixth album, Temptation, in store March 4th independently through Jarrah Records (the label The Waifs co-own with John Butler) and MGM Distribution.
The Waifs’ trip began in a van in 1992, with the three troubadours playing gigs anywhere in Australia that would have them and has led The Waifs to multiple ARIA awards, platinum albums and successful tours across the world. The hard yards in those early days paid off in terms of their career, but also bound the three of them together as friends.
Temptation is the follow-up to 2006’s Sun, Dirt, Water, which the band recorded in Nashville and which reached No.2 in the Australian album charts. That album represented a natural progression for The Waifs, one on which they expanded and experimented with their sound.
Temptation sees them stripping back, returning to their roots and playing an assortment of acoustic and electric instruments, joined once again by the established rhythm section of drummer David Ross Macdonald and bassist Ben Franz.
There’s also a re-shaping of songwriting input this time. While the bulk of the material for Sun, Dirt, Water came from Cunningham, on Temptation the songs are more equally spread.
Temptation was recorded in November last year at Underwood Studios, a ramshackle old house-cum-studio in Simpson’s adopted home city of St Paul, Minneapolis.
All five musos lived together for two weeks above the basement studio, cooking, reminiscing and finessing each of the songs that had been brought to the table. “You just went downstairs when it was your turn to do a take,” says Cunningham. “It was a great atmosphere to make an album in and I think you can hear that on the recordings.”
The group forged their way on the Australian live circuit for most the 1990s, releasing albums such as their self titled debut in 1996 and Shelter Me in 1998, selling them mostly at shows. The third album, 2000’s Sink or Swim, raised their profile and allowed the band to perform in Canada and the United States, attracting rave reviews in the process.
The biggest turning point came with the EP London Still (2002), which gave the band its first Australian hit. Followed in 2003 by the Lighthouse EP and the album Up All Night, which has gone double platinum in Australia and earned them four ARIA awards. That same year they toured Australia with Bob Dylan, who subsequently invited them to join him on his North American tour.
Further hits, such as Bridal Train and Stay, have followed, along with live albums, more awards and ecstatic reviews for their live performances. With a national tour under way from February 22 and the album release to follow on March 4, there is every sign that 2011 will bring them further success.
Touring dates are:
22nd February: Moruya Memorial Hall – MORUYA (NSW) Page Street With Mama Kin. Tickets from http://www.heatseeker.com.au & Planet TX Music Store 02 4474 5000
23rd February – Anita’s Theatre – WOLLONGONG NSW.264 – 270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul With Mama Kin. Tickets from http://www.ticketek.com, 132 849 & http://www.gobookem.com
24th February– Canberra Theatre Centre- CANBERRA ACT
http://www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au Civic Square, London Circuit with Mama Kin. Tickets from CTC Box Office 02 6275 2700 & http://www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
26th February – Enmore Theatre – SYDNEY NSW.
http://www.enmoretheatre.com.au With Mama Kin
Tickets from Venue: (02) 9550 3666, http://www.ticketek.com 132 849
27th February – Civic Theatre Newcastle – NEWCASTLE NSW.
Tickets From: Venue 02 4929 1977 or http://www.ticketek.com 132 849 With Mama Kin
1st March – The Northern – BYRON BAY NSW.
Tickets From: Venue (02) 6685 6454 http://www.thenorthern.oztix.com.au/ http://www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545. With Mama Kin
2nd March – Nambour Civic Centre –NAMBOUR QLD.
http://www.nambourciviccentre.com.au Centenary Square, Currie Street With Mama Kin. Tickets from NCC Box Office, http://www.nambourciviccentre.com.au or (07) 5475 7777.
3rd March– The Tivoli – BRISBANE QLD. Tickets From: The Venue (07) 3852 1711 http://www.ticketek.com 132 849 With Mama Kin.
5th March – Old Broadwater Farm – BUSSELTON WA. Tickets from: http://www.heatseeker.com.au With Tinpan Orange & Big Old Bears
Blue 62, Prince Of Wales Hotel, Star Surf, Mills Records, Planet Video.
6th March – Castelli Estate – DENMARK WA – Tickets from http://www.heatseeker.com.au – With Tinpan Orange & Big Old Bears. Denmark Liquor Store, Southern Sound, Star Surf, Mills Records & Planet Video Doors
8th March– Performing Arts Centre – MANDURAH WA. Tickets from http://www.manpac.com.au MPAC Box Office 08 9550 3900 – With Tinpan Orange
9th March – Fremantle Arts Centre – FREMANTLE WA. 1 Finnerty Street With Tinpan Orange & Big Old Bears. Tickets from http://www.heatseeker.com.au
Star Surf, Mills Records, Planet Video & Venue 08 9432 9550 Doors 5.30pm
10th March Astor Theatre – PERTH WA -www.liveattheastor.com.au Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley With Tinpan Orange & Ruby Boots. BOCS Tickets 08 9484 1133 http://www.bocsticketing.com.au
12th & 13th March – Port Fairy Folk Festival – PORT FAIRY VIC
Tickets From: http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
15th March – The Gov – ADELAIDE SA. Tickets From: http://www.moshtix.com.au (08) 8340 0744 & http://www.venuetix.com.au (08) 8225 8888 With Mama Kin
16th March – The Forum – MELBOURNE VIC
http://www.forummelbourne.com.au Cnr Russell & Flinders Street With Mama Kin
Tickets from http://www.ticketmaster.com.au & 1300 11 1011
17th March – The Forum – SOLD OUT MELBOURNE VIC
19th & 20th March – Blue Mountains Folk Festival KATOOMBA NSW
Tickets from http://www.bmff.org.au/
21st March – Moncrieff Theatre – BUNDABERG QLD
Bourbong Street -With Special Guests (support TBA). Tickets From: Venue 07 4130 4100
23rd March – James Cook University Uni Club TOWNSVILLE QLD.
James Cook University Drive – With Special Guests (support TBA).
Tickets From: http://www.moshtix.com.au & usual outlets
24th March – Tanks Arts Centre – CAIRNS QLD With Special Guests (support TBA). Tickets From: Ticketlink http://www.ticketlink.com.au 1300 855 835 & Venue http://www.tanksartscentre.com
26th March – Darwin Ski Club – DARWIN NT. With special guests
Tickets from http://www.heatseeker.com.au <http://www.heatseeker.com.au> and the venue (08) 8981 0039
27th March Mangrove Resort Hotel – BROOME WA – With special guests. Tickets from http://www.heatseeker.com.au <http://www.heatseeker.com.au> and the venue (08) 9192 1303
Don’t miss them!!!
Here enjoy Lighthouse:
via: SGC
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